“Nigerian Air Force acquisitions revealed in budgetWritten by Oscar Nkala, Tuesday, 17 July 2018 The Nigerian government has approved a part-payment of $47 million towards the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF’s) procurement of three JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

According to the 2018 Federal Appropriation Bill that was approved by President Buhari on 20 June, the JF-17 aircraft will be acquired together with relevant spares, support equipment and accessories. The budget lists a new amount of N17 billion ($47 million) as part payment for three JF-17s, support equipment and spares as well as N12 billion ($33 million) for the existing procurement of three JF-17s. In 2016 Nigeria budgeted $25 million for the JF-17 purchase.

Nigeria may buy more JF-17s at a later date, and may have only budgeted for an initial three, with more funding possibly allocated later.

The government has also set aside nearly N6 billion ($19 million) for the procurement of two new AW109 helicopters from Italian aircraft manufacturer Leonardo Helicopters.

The budget also includes provision for periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, as well as periodic depot maintenance of two Alpha Jets.

In addition, the government has set aside N3 billion ($8 million) for the procurement of various aircraft spares, and various arms and ammunition that include ammunition for fighter jets and attack helicopters.

The budget also provides for the construction and equipment of a standard aircraft maintenance hangar at the Bauchi Special Operations Command base as well as upgrades and rehabilitation of existing military infrastructure at various air bases around the country.

The Nigerian acquisition of the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jets is part of an ongoing fleet modernisation programme that includes the procurement of eight Russian-made Mi-35M attack helicopters and up to 12 A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft from the US.

The NAF is expecting three more pre-owned, serviceable A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from Brazil. The aircraft were manufactured by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer Defence and Security.

The new aircraft are expected to boost the operational capabilities of the air force in its fight against militancy and the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east.”

“Nigeria to protest US conditions on $494 million purchase of Super TucanosWritten by Reuters, Friday, 26 January 2018 Nigeria will protest to the United States over conditions imposed on its planned $494 million (£345.6 million) purchase of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, Defence Minister Mansur Dan Ali said on Thursday.

Those conditions include the 2020 transfer date for the aircraft and that Nigerian technicians will not be trained by U.S. staff, be part of maintenance crews, nor can they study the production of the planes, he told reporters at a briefing in Abuja.

The sale of the planes has been dogged by controversy. Under Barack Obama, the former U.S. president, the aircraft deal had been held off due to concerns about the Nigerian military’s human rights abuses. In one instance, up to 170 people died last January after the air force bombed a refugee camp in the northeastern town of Rann.

But President Donald Trump’s administration approved the sale to support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost U.S. defence jobs, sources told Reuters last April. In December, Nigeria’s air force said the deal had been formally agreed.

Dan Ali did not say whether the disagreement over the conditions would affect the air force’s Feb. 20 target for the final agreements to be signed and initial payments made.

“These conditions we will not accept,” he said.

“(Nigeria‘s) security council has approved the purchase of the aircrafts but some of the conditions America gave us are stringent. We will discuss reducing the conditions with the American ambassador, (and) payments will be made when the conditions are reduced.”

A spokesman for the U.S. embassy in Abuja did not immediately respond to phone calls or an email seeking comment.

The sale of the 12 aircraft, with weapons and service, includes thousands of bombs and rockets.

The propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capabilities, is made by Brazil’s Embraer. A second production line is in Florida, in a partnership between Embraer and privately held Sierra Nevada Corp of Sparks, Nevada.

The Super Tucano costs more than $10 million each and the price can go much higher depending on the configuration. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engine.”

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) expects to take delivery of six Mi-35M and AW109 helicopters from Russia and Italy in March this year.

This is according to Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who made the comments during a visit to the 23rd Quick Response Wing at Gembu, Taraba State, on 19 January.

Abubakar said the deliveries will comprise a single Mi-35 gunship from Russia and five AW109 utility/attack helicoipters from Italy, which will be used to fight insecurity in the country.

During his visit, Abubakar said that the ultimate objective for Gembu was to have a fully functional NAF Base, complete with helicopter landing pads (helipads) and possibly an airstrip. This, he said, would allow for the deployment of some of the new NAF combat helicopters procured by the Federal Government to Gembu, when they arrive.

Abubakar noted that the NAF had already commenced the construction of a helipad at Birnin Gwari to boost the anti-banditry operations in the Northwest of the country and also intended to commence the construction of a helipad in Gembu.

Abubakar revealed the delivery of the additional AW109 helicopters in December last year. He said the helicopters from Italy were AW109 Power models. It is assumed the AW109s will be the AW109M version that can be armed with machinegun pods and 70 mm rocket launchers.

The Nigerian government has already budgeted for two AW109s but more are likely to be ordered as the government allocates more money in future budgets. According to the 2018 Federal Appropriation Bill that was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on 20 June, the government has set aside nearly N6 billion ($19 million) for the procurement of two new AW109 helicopters from Leonardo Helicopters. These will join the AW109 LUHs already in service with the Nigerian Air Force and the A109Es in service with the Nigerian Navy.

Nigeria also has 12 Mi-35Ms on order, with the fourth delivered in mid-2018. They were ordered in September 2015, with the first two being delivered in December 2016, and inducted into service in April the following year. Since then, the NAF said they have been contributing significantly to the counterinsurgency and other internal security operations in the country.

The NAF lost an Mi-35M on 2 January whilst engaging Boko Haram terrorists in northern Borno State. All five on board were killed.

The Nigerian Air Force is due to be further boosted with the delivery of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States. It recently received another Alpha Jet (NAF 476) from the United States. This was ferried into Nigeria on 6 December 2018. Nigeria acquired four examples from a US company in 2015, with three (NAF 475, NAF 477 and NAF 478) delivered in January 2016. It is not clear why the last aircraft was held back.

The NAVMC appears to be producing the vehicle that was previously identified as the IPV and may now be called the NAV-C. Source: Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army appears to have set up a production line for its indigenously developed light off-road vehicle.

Nigerian Army Vehicles Manufacturing Company (NAVMC) was formally commissioned by Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai on 26 January. The army released a statement saying the NAVMC is located in Rigachikun in Kaduna state and includes a production line for what it identified as the NAC-V vehicle, an assembly plant for the B vehicle, an engine overhaul shop, and a paint shop.

It released photographs showing 10 off-road buggies that were the same as the Infantry Patrol Vehicle (IPV) that was unveiled during the first Nigerian Army Research and Innovation Summit held in Abuja in February 2017. The IPV was displayed armed with 12.7 mm DsHK and 7.62 mm FN MAG machine guns and reportedly weighs 650 kg.

It was stated at that time that the Nigerian Army had invested extensive research into developing the IPV to meet its requirements and that several had already been used in counter-insurgency operations in the northeast of the country.

In its coverage of the NAVMC's inauguration, the News Agency of Nigeria cited Major General Victor Ezugwu, the company's director, as saying it had produced 50 light combat vehicles in the last two months: an apparent reference to the IPV/NAC-V.

Photographs released by the Nigerian Army also indicated that the facility is modifying Toyota pickups by fitting machine gun mounts and benches for passengers. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that 35 Toyota Buffalo vehicles were inaugurated by Lt Gen Buratai.

Lt Gen Buratai also commissioned vehicles that had been refurbished by the NAVMC. The Nigerian Army identified these only as A and B types but released a video showing Otokar Cobra light armoured vehicles, a BTR recovery vehicle, and an MT-LB tracked carrier being tested.

The Nigerian Army has taken delivery of five improved Proforce Ara mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles in early March, an industry source told Jane’s .

These are now deployed in northeast Nigeria as part of the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign against the militants popularly known as Boko Haram.

The new vehicles are a heavily modified derivative of the original Ara, eight of which were delivered to the Nigerian Army in 2018.

The same industry source said the new variant features significant enhancements, most notably a fully monocoque hull. The previous Ara used a Tatra 2.30 TRK 4×4 truck chassis. Design work began in January 2018 with feedback from the military on the original Aras being used to refine it further.

The Nigerian Air Force has acquired Paramount Group’s Marauder MRAP. Source: Paramount Group

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received an undisclosed number of Marauder mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles from South Africa's Paramount Group.

The acquisition was confirmed by the South African company on 28 March, confirming earlier social media postings of photos of the vehicle.

Each NAF vehicle is equipped with a King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) Snake Head protected weapons station, fitted with a 7.62 mm machine gun. The Snake Head features a significant amount of armoured glass in its design to enable improved visibility by personnel compared with a more traditional turret or remotely operated weapons station, while enabling a weapon to be operated from a protected position.

The Marauder can carry a crew of two and eight dismounts. The vehicle has a blast protection of STANAG 4569 levels 3A and 3B standards, which can be increased to Level 4 standards with add-on kits. The vehicle is of a monocoque hull construction using a flatter angled V-hull and can withstand a side-blast equivalent of up to 50 kg of explosives. The vehicle has a single-piece 90 mm bullet-resistant windscreen together with two bullet-resistant side windows left and right. The vehicle also has two side doors for the crew and a door at the rear for the dismounts.

The announcement comes as the NAF is in the process of training its own force protection and special forces components. On 15 March the NAF announced that it had graduated the first class of Nigerian-trained special forces personnel.

At the beginning of May 2019, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) did their utmost best to assemble their 'new' helicopter. The helicopter, a Eurocopter (Airbus) EC135T2+, was handed over some time ago from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the NAF.

Former 5N-BOG (c/n 0969) is now provided with the Nigerian Air Force serial NAF549 and wears military camouflage colours. In the past, EC135s NAF547 and NAF548 were already introduced within the NAF.

The NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola who disclosed this in a statement said the handing over ceremony, which had the Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Marek Skolil, in attendance, took place on Friday at the NAF 403 Flying Training School (403 FTS), Kano.

Daramola said the reactivation will ensure that the NAF increases the number of fighter pilots available to man its existing fighter jets as well as the new platforms, such as the A-29 Super Tucano and JF-17 Thunder Multi-Role Fighter, which are to be inducted into NAF inventory soon.

Acct the statement, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, while making his remarks, explained that the handing over of the 3 reactivated aircraft marked another milestone in NAF’s efforts to ensure that 403 FTS continues to operate optimally.

He noted that the in-country reactivation of the aircraft was also done in pursuit of the overall objective to domicile all maintenance and training activities locally, thereby resulting in huge foreign exchange savings which could be channeled towards providing other facilities.

The Air Chief also noted that the NAF was encouraged by the presence of the Czech Ambassador at the event. The statement quoted him as saying, “the Service is looking forward to sustaining the good working relationship that has been re-established as well as having a long and fruitful partnership that is beneficial to the 2 countries. It is also my belief that we will reach a reasonable conclusion on plans to overhaul additional 6 x L-39ZA aircraft.”

In his remarks, the Czech Republic Ambassador noted the supply of the L-29 aircraft, which were used for training as well as combat operations during the Nigerian Civil War paved way for the acquisition of the L-39ZA, which has been used extensively by the NAF for training over the past 33 years and, more recently, for operations in the Northeast. By Global Sentinel

The Proforce Ara 2 is now in service with the Nigerian Army. Source: Proforce

The Nigerian Army formally commissioned into service a range of new indigenously designed and manufactured vehicles during its annual celebration day at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos state on 6 July.

Several types produced by the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC) were unveiled, including a new version of the Infantry Patrol Vehicle (IPV) featuring a larger frame, bigger wheels, and more space for personnel while still carrying a heavy machine gun in an overhead weapon station.

A Tactical Patrol Vehicle was also presented, which appears to be a high-mobility platform. It features room for up to eight personnel and can be armed with a heavy machine gun in an overhead weapon station.

An armoured personnel carrier designated as the Light Tactical Vehicle, which was first presented in an incomplete form during a firepower demonstration in April, was also exhibited. The vehicle appeared to be far less crude than its previous iteration, featuring a two-piece windscreen and an enclosed protected weapon station.

The latest version of the Proforce Ara mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle, known as the Ara 2 was also unveiled during the event.

While an initial batch of five Ara 2s was delivered to the Nigerian Army in March, no images were released at the time as the Army did not want to advertise the vehicle and its capabilities, a Nigerian industry source told Jane’s .

The Ara 2 is very different from earlier designs and features a fully monocoque hull, all-round STANAG Level 3 armouring with STANAG Level 4a on the floor for increased protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.

As part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, a second batch of five Ara 2 MRAPs was handed over to the Nigerian Army, bringing the total number of this variant in service to 13 as three had been handed over a few weeks earlier, the same industry source added.

Damen FCS 3307 Patrol vessels operated by Homeland Integrated Offshore Services (Homeland IOS Ltd) have arrived in Nigeria and are now being prepared for their first assignments.

The addition of these two vessels brings improved capability to Homeland’s squadron of Damen FCS 3307 Patrol vessels. These are deployed in the Gulf of Guinea to protect and support the offshore assets of Homeland’s clients which include many of the leading international oil companies.

The two new arrivals have been built to the same proven specifications as their sister ships. Key features of the 33-metre vessels include Damen’s trademark Axe Bow hull form that delivers excellent fuel economy and a top speed of 29 knots together with superb manoeuvrability and first-class sea-keeping.

The power comes from three Caterpillar main engines totalling 3,579 bkW with each driving a fixed pitch propeller via a Reintjes WVS series gearbox. Capable of accommodating up to six crew and twelve security personnel they can remain at sea for up to four weeks and travel 1,200 nm in and around Nigeria’s coastal and offshore oil fields.

Gulf of Guinea -a piracy hotspot- UN

The security packages installed by Damen on both vessels are purely defensive. The bridges are bullet proof and armoured ‘citadels’ within the hulls protect non-combatants.

In addition to their security role, each Damen FCS 3307 Patrol has a 75 square meters cargo deck aft rated at 2.5 tonnes square meters that adds an additional level of versatility and cost effectiveness to the benefit of Homeland’s clients.

The decks allow them to deliver equipment and spares to offshore installations without any impairment to their primary security role. Additional equipment specified by HIOSL includes thermal imaging sets, diesel powered SOLAS fast rescue craft and Fuel Trax fuel monitoring systems as well as redundant fuel oil separators to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel.

“We continue to invest in state-of-the-art vessels for our fleet so as to maintain our leadership position in servicing Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas sector,” said Dr Louis Ekere, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services. He went on to say; “We work with many of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating actively in the Gulf of Guinea and these new additions will support them in achieving their strategic global objectives.”

The Nigerian Army has ordered 28 Ezugwu armoured vehicles from the Nigerian military's Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), it was announced on 12 November.

The Nigerian Army has ordered 28 Ezugwu MRAPs. (Nigerian Army)

The Nigerian Army described the Ezugwu as a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP) and said it would be used for counter-terrorism/insurgency and other types of operations.

The agreement was signed by a representative for Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and DICON Director General of DICON Major General Victor Ezugwu at the army's headquarters in Abuja.

"We are gathered here today to actualise one of the lofty dreams of the army in reducing the challenges of having to rely on everything from outside Nigeria in terms of lethal equipment," Lt Gen Buratai said in a statement read on his behalf

A computer-generated image of Damen’s LST 100 landing ship that is being built in Sharjah for the Nigerian Navy. Source: Damen

The Nigerian Navy has ordered a landing ship from Damen, it was confirmed on 9 December, when a ceremony was held at the Albwardy Damen Shipyard in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to mark the start of construction.

The Nigerian Navy released photographs of its commander, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, attending the keel-laying ceremony for an LST 100 and said the ship is expected to be completed in May 2020.

The LST 100 is the 100 m-long version of a new range of landing ships offered by Damen, which says the model has a deadweight displacement of 1,000-1,300 tonnes, a range of 4,000 n miles, and an endurance of 15 days.

It has both stern and bow ramps, as well as a flight deck for a medium helicopter. There is 540 m² of space on the roll-on/roll-off deck and another 420 m² on the cargo deck. It can carry 235 troops as well as the 18 crew. Two davits for launching and recovering landing craft and a 25 tonne cargo crane are options.

Captain Suleman Dahun, the spokesman for the Nigerian Navy, told Jane's that the ship will restore the service's sealift capability by replacing the decommissioned German-built Type 502 landing ships NNS Ambe and NNS Ofiom that were acquired in the late 1970s. Cpt Dahun added that the new ship would be used to project Nigeria's naval power and deliver humanitarian assistance in support of the country's foreign policy.

"The bid for this project was highly competitive as several other shipbuilding companies tendered for her construction," Vice Adm Ibas was quoted as saying during the ceremony. "The selection of Damen Shipyards to execute the project was based on its track record of high-quality shipbuilding capacity [and] engineering, as well as a belief in the company's ability to adhere to the timeline for delivery of the ship."

peaking on Monday at the keel-laying ceremony for the new Landing Ship Tank at DAMEN Shipyard Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, said the new ship would play crucial roles in Nigeria’s maritime security.

The keel-laying ceremony which took place at the DAMEN Shipyard Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), came 41 years after the federal government purchased two German 502 Amphibious vessels- NNS AMBE and NNS OFIOM which were decommissioned over 10 years ago.

“Today’s ceremony is a significant step towards actualizing the dream of restoring the Nigerian Navy’s sealift capability after the Service decommissioned two similar LSTs more than 10 years ago,” Ibas said.

The bid for this project was highly competitive as several other shipbuilding companies tendered for her construction," Vice Adm Ibas was quoted as saying during the ceremony. "The selection of Damen Shipyards to execute the project was based on its track record of high-quality shipbuilding capacity [and] engineering, as well as a belief in the company's ability to adhere to the timeline for delivery of the ship."

Ibas pointed out that Damen Shipyards had already built two tugboats for the Nigerian Navy, the Dolphin Rima and Dolphin Mira, and these are still in service.

According to Damen, the landing ship vessel has been designed for amphibious operations, transport and logistics but secondary tasks include maritime security operations, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue (SAR), operations command, mine countermeasure (MCM) and hydrographic survey operations and support.

The 1.3 tonnes LST 100 is 100 metres long, has a maximum speed of 16 knots and range at 15 knots of 4 000 nautical miles, with an endurance 15 days. A bow ramp allows for the direct transfer to and from beaches and is rated to 70 tonnes. The internal ramp is rated at 30 tonnes and the stern ramp 70 tonnes.

The vessel can carry two embarked LCVPs (landing craft, vehicle, personnel), a helicopter/UAV on the flight deck, unmanned undersea vehicles and miscellaneous cargo with a 25-ton deck crane. The crew is 18, but 27 additional personnel can be accommodated or 235 troops.

When completed and delivered, the LST is expected to play crucial roles in the security of Nigeria’s maritime environment and beyond,” Ibas said. “Specifically, the ship will be engaged in the protection of maritime resources and the preservation of law and order at sea.

Efforts are ongoing to acquire more helicopters for the Nigerian Navy air arm. Between 2015 and 2019, Ibas said the Nigerian Navy had acquired two offshore patrol vessels, the NNS Centenary and NNS Unity from China, a second locally built Seaward Defence Boat (NNS Karaduwa), six OCEA patrol boats (NNS Nguru, Shiroro, Ekulu, Ose, Gongola and Calabar) and more than 200 riverine patrol boats.